Contents

Appearance

Raichu is a rodent-like Pokémon, similar to its previous evolution forms. Unlike Pichu or Pikachu, which both have yellow fur, Raichu has orange-brown fur. It has long ears and feet, but has stubby arms with no fingers. Additionally, its electrical sacs are yellow, unlike its previous form's red coloring. It has a white belly, the tips of its arms and toes are brown. The soles of its feet are tan-colored and the paw pads on the undersides are yellowish orange. Raichu also have a long, thin, black tail that ends in a large lightning bolt shape. Male Raichu have larger "lightning bolt tails" than females. They are also bigger than their previous evolved forms.

Special abilities

Raichu has the ability Static and the hidden ability Lightningrod. Static allows Raichu to paralyze its foe when making a physical move. Lightningrod allows Raichu to draw in all Electric-type attacks.

Ash and Pikachu both, refusing to go through with evolving Pikachu in order to increase its power, face off against Lt. Surge again, this time using speed rather than power. By tiring Raichu out, Pikachu defeats Raichu and wins the battle.

Another Raichu, under the ownership of a trainer named Sho, was seen in Pika and Goliath!. Sho's Raichu used Hyper Beam at point blank range on Ash's Pikachu causing it to be in critical condition. This episode was very similar to the previously mentioned Electric Shock Showdown episode.

* - This is the amount of points required to capture the Pokémon (excluding boss Pokémon).** - This is the reaction of the Pokémon when players approach it.

Origins

Raichu in the anime

The name Raichu originates from the Japanese word rai, which means "thunder," and "chuu," a word referring to the squeak made by a mouse. Its name is also very similar to the Raiju, a lighting creature from Japanese mythology.

Trivia

Pokédex entries say that Raichu can discharge up to 100,000 volts. The Pokémon Stadium entry says that it can only do 10,000 however.

In PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond, Raichu appears in the Cove Town as one of the trainers. After Pikachu defeats him in battle, he becomes Pikachu's teacher.